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The UAE Has Launched A Program To Assist 100 Startups
The Future 100 program marks the start of a series of government initiatives aimed at improving the UAE’s future preparedness across multiple sectors.
The United Arab Emirates is already making a name for itself as a startup hub for global tech companies. Now, however, a program has been launched to ensure that the region’s economy is fully future-proofed.
The program, known as Future 100, aims to help 100 prominent startups across a diverse range of technology sectors, including space travel, renewable and carbon-neutral energy, and other emerging tech. As the program develops, it’s hoped that a new economic model will emerge, aligning the UAE with emerging trends and creating a lasting, 50-year impact.
“The Ministry of Economy continues to support innovative future projects that promote the UAE’s global leading position on competitiveness indicators and supports it as an attractive destination for future projects from all over the world. It further enhances its position as a permanent hub for creativity and innovation, securing sustainable growth for the UAE’s national economy and creating new jobs through startups, especially in sectors pertaining to the new economic fields, such as space, renewable energy, fintech, and AI,” says Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of the Economy.
Also Read: Hub71’s Startup Ecosystem Now Boasts Over 200 Members
According to other government sources, the UAE Future 100 roadmap emphasizes the improvement of future preparedness. The initiative is meant to symbolize the future orientation of the UAE leadership, focusing on the economic growth of the region, raising the GDP, and boosting the performance of new economic sectors.
Over the past couple of years, the UAE has initiated several programs of this nature with the goal of creating a robust, future-focused economy. The National Program for Artificial Intelligence 2031, the Green Growth Strategy, the Energy Strategy 2050, the Emirates Blockchain Strategy and the Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution are just a few of the initiatives that highlight the region’s lofty goals.
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Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
The e-commerce startup is aiming to tap into the Kingdom’s underdeveloped e-grocery sector with a tech-first, locally rooted strategy.
Rabbit, an Egyptian-born hyperlocal e-commerce startup, is expanding into the Saudi Arabian market, setting its sights on delivering 20 million items across major cities by 2026.
The company, founded in 2021, is already operational in the Kingdom, with its regional headquarters now open in Riyadh and an established network of strategically located fulfillment centers — commonly known as “dark stores” — across the capital.
The timing is strategic: Saudi Arabia’s online grocery transactions currently sit at 1.3%, notably behind the UAE (5.3%) and the United States (4.8%). With the Kingdom’s food and grocery market estimated at $60 billion, even a modest increase in online adoption could create a multi-billion-dollar opportunity.
Rabbit also sees a clear alignment between its business goals and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to boost retail sector innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises, attract foreign investment, and develop a robust digital economy.
The company’s e-commerce model is based on speed and efficiency. Delivery of anything from groceries and snacks to cosmetics and household staples is promised in 20 minutes or less, facilitated by a tightly optimized logistics system — a crucial component in a sector where profit margins and delivery expectations are razor-thin.
Despite the challenges, Rabbit has already found its stride in Egypt. In just over three years, the app has been used by 1.4 million customers to deliver more than 40 million items. Revenue has surged, growing more than eightfold in the past two years alone.
Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2025
CEO and Co-Founder Ahmad Yousry commented: “We are delighted to announce Rabbit’s expansion into the Kingdom. We pride ourselves on being a hyperlocal company, bringing our bleeding-edge tech and experience to transform the grocery shopping experience for Saudi households, and delivering the best products – especially local favorites, in just 20 minutes”.
The company’s growth strategy avoids the pitfalls of over-reliance on aggressive discounting. Instead, Rabbit leans on operational efficiency, customer retention, and smart scaling. The approach is paying off, having already attracted major investment from the likes of Lorax Capital Partners, Global Ventures, Raed Ventures, and Beltone Venture Capital, alongside earlier investors such as Global Founders Capital, Goodwater Capital, and Hub71.
Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
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